In India’s capital, at least five police personnel were injured after a demolition drive near the Syed Faiz Elahi Mosque and an adjoining graveyard at Turkman Gate, Delhi, triggered clashes on Wednesday. The operation, carried out under orders of the Delhi High Court, involved Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials and demolition machinery. 

The clashes erupted when hundreds of local residents gathered in protest against the demolition of a banquet hall and dispensary near the mosque, which were declared encroachments by the court. Police used teargas to disperse the crowd.   

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan admitted that the MCD had scheduled the demolition late at night on January 6-7, deploying police to enforce the action. While many residents dispersed after persuasion, others resisted, resulting in injuries to five police personnel, who received medical treatment.   

Observers noted that the demolition drive reflects India’s broader policy of coercion against religious minorities, using legal and administrative tools to target Muslim communities. Critics argued that actions such as these, carried out at night and under heavy police presence, are intended to intimidate residents and suppress dissent, highlighting the environment of fear and harassment faced by minorities across India.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)